As NFL teams prepare for rookie minicamps this weekend, a surge of signings highlights the enduring influence of Alabama high school and college football. Six undrafted rookie free agents with roots in the Yellowhammer State have earned their shot at the professional level, while two familiar names found themselves on the other side of NFL roster moves.
Among the most exciting developments, six undrafted rookies with Alabama ties have signed with four different NFL teams, underlining the state’s deep reservoir of football talent.
Ja’Corey Brooks, a standout wide receiver who played three seasons at Alabama from 2021 to 2023, has signed with the Washington Commanders. Known for his clutch performances and big-play ability, Brooks brings size and athleticism to Washington’s receiving corps after finishing his college career at Louisville.
The Commanders also picked up linebacker Ale Kaho, who began his college journey at Alabama before transferring to UCLA. Kaho played for the Crimson Tide from 2018 to 2020, making a name for himself with his intensity on special teams and versatility on defense.
Another Alabama native, wide receiver Kobe Hudson, is headed to the Carolina Panthers. Hudson began his college career at Auburn in 2020 and 2021 before transferring to UCF. His dynamic play and strong hands helped him stand out during his final collegiate seasons, earning him a shot in Carolina’s competitive wideout room.
The Tennessee Titans made two additions rooted in Alabama football. Defensive tackle Isaiah Raikes, a force in the trenches at Auburn, signed with Tennessee after a productive college career. He’ll be joined by fellow Auburn product Jerrin Thompson, a talented safety who brings speed and toughness to the Titans’ secondary.
Chicago also dipped into Alabama’s talent pool by signing Kansas defensive end Jereme Robinson. A former standout at Carver High School in Montgomery, Robinson brings edge-rushing ability and high motor play to the Bears’ defensive front.
While new opportunities opened up for these undrafted rookies, two NFL players with Alabama ties found themselves on the move.
The Miami Dolphins waived defensive tackle Neil Farrell, a former Murphy High School standout in Mobile. Farrell, a fourth-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2022 NFL Draft, had brief stints with the Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, and Dolphins. In 2024, he appeared in seven games for Miami, providing rotational depth on the defensive line. His release follows the Dolphins’ decision to draft Michigan’s Kenneth Grant in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, signaling a shift in direction for the team’s defensive interior.
These moves reflect the NFL’s ever-changing landscape, where opportunity and challenge go hand in hand. For Alabama’s rising football stars, the dream is just beginning, and for others, the next chapter awaits. One thing is clear: Alabama’s football roots continue to grow deep in the NFL.
